Travelling from Washington DC to Hamburg: what you need to know
You can choose from multiple airports when planning your flight from Washington DC to Hamburg. Check out your options for leaving Washington DC from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Touch down at Hamburg Airport (HAM), the chief entry point to Hamburg.
Hamburg's timezone is UTC+1, which makes Hamburg five hours ahead of Washington DC.
To ensure you make it on your Washington DC to Hamburg flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Popular months like February or holiday periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year will mean longer lines at check-in and security. Play it safe and head to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of an international departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Hamburg
Booking in advance is often the key to locking in a cheap Washington DC to Hamburg flight. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across the month when looking for your plane ticket from Washington DC to Hamburg.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Washington DC to Hamburg by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Washington DC to Hamburg flights.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Located around 6 kilometres from central Washington DC, DCA can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Washington DC to Hamburg? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Of all flights leaving Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% land on schedule at their destination.
DCA's address is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Visit family or friends or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Washington DC to Hamburg flight, browse these options when taking off from Washington Dulles International Airport:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
You can get to IAD from the centre of Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to travel the 40 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not enjoy another night away? Think about kicking back in one of these hotels near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your flight from Washington DC to Hamburg:
74.39% of all departures from Washington Dulles International Airport make it to their destination as expected.
You'll find IAD at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
You can book a ticket from Washington DC to Hamburg out of Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) with a stopover. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is a major connection point.
BWI is roughly 40 kilometres from central Washington DC. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 50 minutes. If you're thinking about taking public transport, you can expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Skip the morning rush on departure day — stay near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll be at your boarding gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you have an early Washington DC to Hamburg flight:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights touch down when they should. At BWI, that rate is 77.13%.
Arriving in Hamburg
Hamburg Airport (HAM)
Hamburg Airport (HAM) is approximately 10 kilometres from central Hamburg. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 30 minutes.
Getting there by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 25 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Washington DC to Hamburg. Check in to one of these accommodation options near HAM instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Hamburg Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Wheego, Alamo or star car and experience the lesser-explored corners of Hamburg and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Hamburg Airport about one week in advance gives you the best shot at securing a great deal.
Luebeck-Blankensee Airport (LBC)
As soon as your flight from Washington DC to Hamburg has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in around 1 hour by car. Central Hamburg is approximately 56 kilometres from Luebeck-Blankensee Airport (LBC).
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Pick up a Luebeck-Blankensee Airport rental car and unlock more experiences with your own set of wheels. Enterprise is just moments from arrivals, ensuring a fast and easy pick-up.
Get your ideal vehicle, not just what's left, by booking your ride from LBC ahead of time. You'll also avoid paying more than you have to, especially when demand is high.
Best time to go to Hamburg
It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from Washington DC to Hamburg. June is the most popular month for a trip to Hamburg. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in January.
When booking your Washington DC to Hamburg tickets, consider what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Hamburg, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 26ºC (79ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Washington DC to Hamburg in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -5ºC (23ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF) on average.
More about Hamburg
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Hamburg right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Hamburg:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Miniatur Wunderland, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Port of Hamburg are essential stops on your Hamburg itinerary.
Explore more of Germany
You've seen Hamburg, now it's time to explore other parts of Germany. Travel around 257 kilometres south-east to Berlin to tick off its top sights. From Brandenburg Gate to Berlin Wall Memorial and East Side Gallery, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Around 306 kilometres south-west of Hamburg, Essen is another essential stop in Germany. No visit is complete without checking out Aussichtspunkt Wattenscheider Hellweg, Bergischer Weg - 2 Etappe and Hasenwiese.